Marlon Williams Wins Second APRA Silver Scroll Award for ‘Aua Atu Rā’

Marlon Williams has won the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award for the second time, this time for his song ‘Aua Atu Rā’, co-written with fellow artist KOMMI (Kommi Tamati-Elliffe). The award was presented during a ceremony on March 13, 2025, at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch, New Zealand, highlighting Williams’ significant contributions to contemporary music.

‘Aua Atu Rā’ is featured on Williams’ album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, which is notable for being composed entirely in te reo Māori. The song draws inspiration from the 1960s Māori showbands, reflecting a rich cultural heritage. Williams previously won the Silver Scroll in 2018 for his song ‘Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore’.

While accepting the award, Williams encouraged Māori musicians to embrace their cultural identity through songwriting. He stated, “Any Māori songwriters out there, just get into it, man. The reo’s there… with a bit of help songs are simple.” His message emphasized the importance of expressing one’s Māori identity through music and encouraged the community to “flood the zone” with their art.

In the same event, music reviewer Nick Bollinger praised Williams’ recent work, describing the album as “the deepest, most personal work of his career.” Bollinger noted the inherent musicality of te reo Māori, particularly when performed by Williams, whose voice brings the language to life. He remarked on the song’s classic Māori strum, linking it to the musical legacies of figures such as Prince Tui Teka and the Howard Morrison Quartet.

Williams’ latest accolade places him alongside other notable multi-winners of the Silver Scroll, including Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashan, and Lorde. The awards ceremony also recognized various other talents in the New Zealand music scene.

The Maioha Award was presented to the duo Dillistrate for their song ‘Kei Whati Te Marama’, a drum’n’bass tribute to women. This peer-voted award acknowledges the contributions of Māori musicians and their cultural narratives.

Composer Ihlara McIndoe received the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for her work ‘of coral and foam’, which features text by renowned author Katherine Mansfield. Additionally, Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper won the Best Original Music in a Series Award for her work on the NZ/Ireland co-production ‘The Gone’ (season 2). Bridgman-Cooper has previously won awards for her contributions to film music.

The Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award went to Arli Liberman and Tiki Taane for ‘Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End’. Both artists have been recognized for their impactful contributions to New Zealand’s music landscape, with Liberman previously winning the same award in 2021.

The ceremony also included the induction of the alt-country band The Warratahs into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, recognizing their influence on the songwriting community and their role in shaping a distinctive Kiwi style of country music.

This year’s awards have continued to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of New Zealand’s music scene, showcasing both established and emerging artists.